Fire Storm

By M.E. Sutton

Running for student council president seemed like a good idea at the time, but the campaign strategy sessions with Kara have Jaycee realizing just how much work is involved. Then there's the strain it's putting on Jaycee's friendship with Stu, who is not exactly being supportive.

Escaping to Mallory is no escape from drama. Upon arrival, Lyla meets Rowenna Blacking, young nobility fleeing the neighboring estate of Trevayne amid accusations of theft and arson. Rowenna insists she's been framed by her own brother in a bid for estate rule.

When a similar fire breaks out at Mallory Manor it adds more urgency to the situation. Joining forces with Galen, her male counterpart from Trevayne, Lyla must find solid evidence as to whether Rowenna is guilty or innocent--or if the answer lies somewhere in between.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.E. Sutton
• Release date: Oct 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311280039

M.E. Sutton

Mary has been making up stories, and creating her own endings for other people's stories, for as long as she can remember. After ten years, she decided that making things up was far more satisfying than writing software manuals, and took the jump into fiction. She writes the HERO'S SWORD middle-grade fantasy series as M.E. Sutton and finds a lot of inspiration in the lives of her own kids. A lifelong mystery fan, she also writes crime fiction, including THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS MYSTERIES, under the pen name Liz Milliron. Her short fiction has been published at Uppagus.com, Mystericale.com, and in LUCKY CHARMS: 12 CRIME TALES (December 2013). Like her LAUREL HIGHLANDS characters, Mary lives in Southwestern PA (but, unfortunately, she doesn't have a dog). She is a member of Sisters in Crime. Visit her on the web at http://marysuttonauthor.com and follow her on Twitter (@mary_sutton73).

Book preview

FIRE STORM

Hero’s Sword Vol. 5

by M.E. Sutton

Smashwords edition

Also available in print

Copyright 2015 Mary Sutton

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Other titles by M.E. Sutton:

Power Play

Storm Clouds

Wedding Bliss

Snake in the Grass

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

Also Available

About the author

For Fletcher, who wanted to meet Stu’s avatar

CHAPTER ONE

I reviewed the page of numbers and started erasing after the third line. You forgot to carry the three.

A pencil whipped by my head, cracking against the wall. Stupid math. I hate it! Kara chucked a pillow across the room to join the pencil. It was not the first time she’d done that. Not even the first time that afternoon.

You’re going to leave a mark if you keep doing that. I got up to retrieve the pencil and pillow.

I don’t care. This is stupid. It’s not like my parents will notice.

We were in Kara’s bedroom for our weekly math session. Her room was big enough to take up the entire second floor of my house. A flat-screen TV stood on the dresser and a patchwork silk quilt in all colors of the rainbow was on the bed. It matched the curtains. In fact, the entire room was a riot of color in a shabby chic style that my mom told me was a sure sign that it was expensive.

I’d gotten used to it—the room and the outbursts.

The only adult around was the housekeeper. I’d talked to Kara’s parents for three minutes the second time I’d visited and hadn’t seen them since. Kara didn’t seem to care. They’re always at the hospital for something or other, she’d explained with a roll of her eyes.

I sat down and holding out the pencil. All right, start over from there. I pointed to the paper.

I’ve got a better idea. Let’s talk about your campaign. Kara hugged the pillow to her chest, ignoring the pencil.

This is supposed to be a tutoring session. Not campaign central.

I don’t care. The campaign is more interesting than math. Did you work out your platform like I told you?

I put down the pencil and fetched my backpack. It was useless to try and distract Kara once she’d latched onto an idea. And boy, had she ever latched onto the idea of me as student council president. I should never have told her I signed up.

However, we did have all week to work on the math. I handed over the notebook where I kept my campaign notes and ideas. Here. Fourth page. Changes to the cafeteria menu, more student input on new books for the library, and get the school to revise the Internet policy. I’d identified three areas where I thought Tanner needed change. Book choice might only appeal to the readers in the school, but I was sure better food and more computer access would be pretty popular with a lot of my fellow Tanner-ites.

Good. Kara looked at the list and handed it back. A mix of popular and academic. I’ve drawn up some designs for buttons and posters.

Buttons and posters? Are you serious?

This is a campaign, Jaycee. How are you going to spread your message without materials?

I don’t have the cash for materials. This campaign is self-financed, you know.

I can draw the posters myself. Once we have a button design, we can get them cheap at the U-print-em store. Here. She set down some sketches.

They were colorful and eye-catching. Fortunately, none of them included my picture. I would have outlawed that idea. My mother might have worn one, but nobody at school, including me, wanted to see my face everywhere.

A vote for Jaycee, a vote for change? I asked.

That’s your slogan. Every candidate needs a slogan. It is what you want to do right? Change things?

I suppose. I pushed the drawings around. Kara was very talented. The drawings looked almost professional, at least to me. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, really. But tell me again, why are you doing this?

Because I want to help you. Kara flipped through the drawings and selected a few. She brushed her hair behind her ear. Now, these three are my favorites, but it’s up to you.

You want to help me? When I first saw you in the courtyard at school, you were all suspicious. Now you’re my best friend. I don’t get it. Kara and I were completely different. She was cute, trendy, and artistic. And rich. No wonder Trina had tried to recruit Kara for the cheerleaders.

I was none of those things. Kara couldn’t have missed that. In my mind, I had a right to be cautious. I didn’t like Trina, but I wasn’t going to be a pawn in Kara’s feud with Miss Popularity, either.

I know. I’m sorry. Kara didn’t look at me, focused on the drawings. It’s hard for me to make friends.

Tell me about it.

But you were, like, nice. Before you saw my house, or knew my parents were surgeons, or anything. I can’t help you with math or with video games. But I know how to appeal to people. If you don’t want me to help—

No, it’s cool. I was just curious. Hanging out with Kara had cut into my Hero’s Sword time, and I knew that annoyed Stu, but it was a nice change of pace. It got me out of my room, which made Mom happy. At least Kara wasn’t too girly.

I selected two designs. I like this for the buttons and this for the posters. The colors really pop.

Awesome. Kara clapped her hands. I’ll get to work on making something ready for print. Now. You have a debate coming up in a couple days. What are you going to wear?

I shrugged. What did I always wear? I dunno. Jeans, I guess. Is it important?

Is it important? She got up and her voice said it all. Have you studied history? Image is just as important as message. You have to look like someone people can see as student council president. She started rummaging around in her closet.

Yeah, well, I hope the president wears a lot of jeans and T-shirts. Because that’s mostly what I have. A couple of dresses my mom made me buy for holidays. I don’t think those are what you had in mind.

No. But you need to up your game. Here, these ought to fit. You’re about my size. She handed over a sweater, something that looked like a camisole, and a pair of ballet flats. Go on, try them on. She flopped on her bed, eyes sparkling.

It felt weird, trying on someone else’s clothes, but to make her happy, I did. The sweater and cami were a lot more comfortable than I thought they’d be.

Excellent. Now for some accessories. Kara handed me a necklace and some earrings. They were much bigger than I usually wore but looked right with the sweater. Now, hold still. She pulled out some eyeliner and mascara. You don’t need a ton of makeup, but this makes your eyes bigger.

I tried not to flinch at the pointy things near my eyes. Who did this on purpose?

And last, that ponytail.

What about it? It keeps my hair out of my face. I clutched my hair.

Yes, but if you style it a little, you can keep your hair back and look better. Like this. She brushed my hair, sprayed